When mutations accumulate in viral surface protein genes, causing changes in the virus's antigenic properties. This can make vaccines less effective and increase the risk of infection.
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antigenic shift
A sudden change in the surface antigens of a virus, caused by the exchange of genetic material with another virus, resulting in a new strain that can evade the immune system.
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Cytopathic
Refers to the ability of a virus to cause damage to the host cell it infects, leading to cell death or dysfunction.
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genome
The complete set of genetic material that an organism possesses, including all of its genes and non-coding DNA sequences.
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